› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 8 months Zelboraf
- This topic has 9 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 8 months ago by
Tina D.
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- August 15, 2013 at 10:55 am
Hello everybody,
Hello everybody,
my husband had scans last week and everything looks good. We are so happy! There are still some lymph nodes enhanced but nothing has increased in size and there is nothing new. He is on Zelboraf now almost 8 months, crossing the median. Side effects are still manageable though he's had a rough time with pain (joint pain and skin sensibility). Doctors recommend to stay on Z. The other option would be a break, wait for progression and enter one of the Anti-PD1 vs. Chemo trials that have also reached Germany. I think we are not really ready for it yet because Z is working so well. But we have this option in mind and will again discuss it with the doctors.
All the best, Jenny
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- August 16, 2013 at 12:01 am
That is very good news, Jenny! Thank you for sharing!
I understand your husband wanting to stick with Zelboraf because it is working so well for him. With the pace of research and FDA approval (at least here in the States) it seems like if we can just hold the beast at bay for another 6 months or a year, other treatments will become available.
One good thing that is happening now is a clinical trial combining dabrafenib (which is like zelboraf so you have to have the BRAF mutation) with Yervoy. When they tried to combine Zelboraf with Yervoy, the combination proved to be too toxic. But dabrafenib and Yervoy might be better tolerated.
Again, thank you for sharing your good news. I hope the Z keeps working for your husband for a long time to come.
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- August 16, 2013 at 12:01 am
That is very good news, Jenny! Thank you for sharing!
I understand your husband wanting to stick with Zelboraf because it is working so well for him. With the pace of research and FDA approval (at least here in the States) it seems like if we can just hold the beast at bay for another 6 months or a year, other treatments will become available.
One good thing that is happening now is a clinical trial combining dabrafenib (which is like zelboraf so you have to have the BRAF mutation) with Yervoy. When they tried to combine Zelboraf with Yervoy, the combination proved to be too toxic. But dabrafenib and Yervoy might be better tolerated.
Again, thank you for sharing your good news. I hope the Z keeps working for your husband for a long time to come.
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- August 16, 2013 at 12:01 am
That is very good news, Jenny! Thank you for sharing!
I understand your husband wanting to stick with Zelboraf because it is working so well for him. With the pace of research and FDA approval (at least here in the States) it seems like if we can just hold the beast at bay for another 6 months or a year, other treatments will become available.
One good thing that is happening now is a clinical trial combining dabrafenib (which is like zelboraf so you have to have the BRAF mutation) with Yervoy. When they tried to combine Zelboraf with Yervoy, the combination proved to be too toxic. But dabrafenib and Yervoy might be better tolerated.
Again, thank you for sharing your good news. I hope the Z keeps working for your husband for a long time to come.
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- August 16, 2013 at 8:40 pm
That is great news. I have been on the Zelboraf for almost 6 months now with good results. My oncologist is now switching me to the newly FDA Approved dabrafenib (Taflinar). He says the toxicity and side effects are not as bad; alothough I think I have done quite well with the side effects. The joint pain has subsided to a managable level. Right now just dealing with diarrhea. I am alittle nervous about switching bacause the Z is working, but I think it is the right thing to do. I have lost quite a bit of weight. I also contracted a cdiff infection which caused more severe diarrhea and weight loss.
Once we get approved (pharmacy called today and said it was approved) and get on this med, he wants to add the trametinib (Mekinist) also approved by FDA in May. Said it would probably take a little more work to get it approved in conjuction with the Taflinar since it has not been approved to be used together by the FDA yet. They have applied for approval and are seeing good results.
Enough about me, I am just happy to see someone else with positive results.
God Bless
Becky K.
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- August 16, 2013 at 8:40 pm
That is great news. I have been on the Zelboraf for almost 6 months now with good results. My oncologist is now switching me to the newly FDA Approved dabrafenib (Taflinar). He says the toxicity and side effects are not as bad; alothough I think I have done quite well with the side effects. The joint pain has subsided to a managable level. Right now just dealing with diarrhea. I am alittle nervous about switching bacause the Z is working, but I think it is the right thing to do. I have lost quite a bit of weight. I also contracted a cdiff infection which caused more severe diarrhea and weight loss.
Once we get approved (pharmacy called today and said it was approved) and get on this med, he wants to add the trametinib (Mekinist) also approved by FDA in May. Said it would probably take a little more work to get it approved in conjuction with the Taflinar since it has not been approved to be used together by the FDA yet. They have applied for approval and are seeing good results.
Enough about me, I am just happy to see someone else with positive results.
God Bless
Becky K.
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- August 16, 2013 at 8:40 pm
That is great news. I have been on the Zelboraf for almost 6 months now with good results. My oncologist is now switching me to the newly FDA Approved dabrafenib (Taflinar). He says the toxicity and side effects are not as bad; alothough I think I have done quite well with the side effects. The joint pain has subsided to a managable level. Right now just dealing with diarrhea. I am alittle nervous about switching bacause the Z is working, but I think it is the right thing to do. I have lost quite a bit of weight. I also contracted a cdiff infection which caused more severe diarrhea and weight loss.
Once we get approved (pharmacy called today and said it was approved) and get on this med, he wants to add the trametinib (Mekinist) also approved by FDA in May. Said it would probably take a little more work to get it approved in conjuction with the Taflinar since it has not been approved to be used together by the FDA yet. They have applied for approval and are seeing good results.
Enough about me, I am just happy to see someone else with positive results.
God Bless
Becky K.
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